A passion for building model trains is helping a retired teacher fight a rare neurological disorder.
Andy Copp, from Keith, suffers from worsening mobility, poor balance and slurred speech after being diagnosed with corticobasal degeneration (CBD).
The illness, which has no cure, will eventually confine the former maths teacher at Speyside High School to a wheelchair.
However, despite his prognosis Mr Copp continues to run a business, Lochgorm Kits (CORR), making brass model trains using soldering irons and blow torches.
And last night his wife Elizabeth credited the passion for steam locomotives for helping him to stave off some of the effects of the heartbreaking illness.
She said: “It keeps him going. It’s getting harder and harder for him but he perseveres. He keeps soldering away and has a website that he keeps updated regularly.”
Mr Copp added: “I have always found trains interesting. They’ve been a life-long passion of mine. When I retired early I thought it was the ideal opportunity to take part in a business.”
Mr Copp was finally diagnosed with the rare condition in March last year after it was missed by doctors three times.
It is not known what causes the illness, which has symptoms including muscle tremor, difficulty swallowing and problems
with balance and coordination.
However, the former teacher has been boosted after responding well to a drug commonly used for patients with Parkinson’s disease.
Later this month Mrs Copp is embarking on an expedition to the summit of Ben Nevis with the couple’s daughter Fiona Cheyne and family friend Jane Sim to raise money for the PSP Association, which funds research into CBD and progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). The trio have already raised about £4,000 for the cause.
Mrs Copp said: “Nobody knows what causes it, it’s just rotten bad luck. It’s not how you expect to spend your retirement.
“Maybe in 20 years time there will be a clear understanding about it.
“Although we sound cheerful, it has been very difficult. Doing the expedition making you feel like you are doing something positive and making a difference.”
Donations to the Ben Nevis climb can be made online at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Jane-Sim1
